La Fayette (France/Italy, 1962) The Movie´s Preview, its World Premiere and more …
Written, compiled and translated by Gerhard Witte, Berlin, Germany, in March/April 2020
The Movie´s Preview (Avant-Première) in Super Technirama 70 on the
Passenger Vessel (paquebot) "SS France" on 1st February 1962
An article from "Transat Actualités" dated February 1962 (No. 1).
Presentation of the film La Fayette on 1st February
On 1st February 1962, the film La Fayette (France/Italy, 1962) was screened for the first
time on board of the liner "France" in the presence of the actors Pascale Audret and Michel
Le Royer, and a large number of personalities from the world of cinema … among them the
director Jean Dréville and Claude Renoir (author´s note: Renoir was cinematographer of the
film), actor Jack Hawkins. This film, one of the last great achievements of French cinema, is
already shaping up to be a success. It was then continuously screened during the maiden
voyage of the "France" [author´s note: from 03.02. to 08.02.1962 from Le Havre via
Southampton (04.02.) to New York], and on 8th February at the Opera in Paris (author´s
note: the movie´s World Premiere). In the picture can be seen Pascale Audret (in the film
Adrienne de La Fayette) and right Michel Le Royer (in the film Marquis de La Fayette).
For the movie´s special preview a program for a trip by train
from Paris to Le Havre and return had been designed:
The program of the day (01.02.1962): 11:30 a.m. departure Paris (Gare Saint-Lazare) by
autorail R.G.P. 1st class – an UFA- COMACICO special train / during the journey a lunch
including: Saumon à la parisienne, Cœur de Charolais rôti, Pommes bonne femme, Haricots
verts à l´Anglaise, Fromages, Bombe Aida, Gavottes, Apéritifs, Vins, Café, Alcools et
Liqueurs / 01:50 p.m. arrival Le Havre (Gare Maritime) / 02:00 p.m. visit of the liner
"France" / 03:00 p.m. screening, preview reserved for professionals (spécialement réservée
à la profession), of the film La Fayette – projection duration: 2 h 38 / champagne of honor
in the large salon of the liner "France" / 08:42 p.m. departure Le Havre (Gare Maritime) /
during the trip, dinner including: Consommé Cólestine, Poulet à la gelée d´estragon, Salade
monàgasque, Fromages, Fruit rafraîchis au Marasquin, Vins / 11:00 p.m. arrival Paris (Gare
Saint-Lazare).
A Todd-AO Cinema in the Passenger Vessel "SS France"
Information and pictures are taken from the
trade magazine "Kino-Technik" dated January 1963 (No. 2).
On 3rd February 1962, the luxurious passenger ship "France" left Le Havre and sailed via
Southampton to New York in six days. At the time, it had been considered as a masterpiece
of shipbuilding. With a length of 316 metres, it had been the longest ship in the world. It was
equipped for 2044 passengers.
The ship on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL1UzWItQKc
. ….and Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_France_(1960)
Passengers were entertained by own television programs, film screenings (even with Todd-
AO films) and concerts. Philips had been involved in the installation of these systems – the
"Compagnie Générale Transatlantique" gave the French Philips organization the order to
install the entire television, electroacoustic and cinema systems. The sound and video
systems were monitored from a central control room.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL1UzWItQKchttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_France_(1960)
Images above: Left the control room. Here you can see a part of the control table and
the control equipment - in the background radio receivers, and television control
devices. Image right: The control panel, and the television control devices
for the on-board television system.
The Ship´s Movie Theatre
In the movie theatre, French films were shown on the trip from France to America, which
were brought to New York for American premieres, while certain American films were
shown on return trip for later premieres in France.
The projection room of the
on-board film theatre with
Philips universal projectors
for 35mm and 70mm wide
films, and a device for TV
scanning of 35mm films.
The projection room of the
film theatre was equipped
with two universal projectors
of the type "Philips DP70/35"
(author´s note: Serial No.
1741 + 1744) for the
screening of normal and wide
films, with a 16mm projector
and two television cameras.
With regard to wide films, the amplifier system was designed with six channels. For Todd-
AO films the sound reproduction took place with five stereophonic groups of speakers
behind the screen, and another 14 speakers distributed in the theatre for the sixth channel.
The huge auditorium of the passenger vessel "France" designed by the
famous French cinema architect Georges Peynet. Images from
"Le Film Français Cinémonde" (Édition Spéciale) dated 01.02.1962.
Image left from the trade magazine
"Kino-Technik" dated Jan. 1963 (No. 2).
The auditorium was equipped with 664 seats,
of which 185 were reserved on the balcony for
the first class. The screen had a width of 10
metres [author´s note: another source (see link
below) gives a size of 9,50 by 4 metres]. Films
were shown daily from morning to midnight.
A stage with a size of 32m² was available for
concerts and other events. If necessary, a
concert piano (stored below the stage) could
automatically be lifted onto the stage. The two
Philips film projectors were coupled to two
Philips Vidicon television cameras, so that 35mm films could be scanned, and played on
television receivers in the ship´s passenger cabins. / More interesting information on the
preview event, the film and the ship is available here – a fantastic collection by Gérard
Gumuchian (only in French):
http://www.paquebots.net/2015/02/paquebot-france-transatlantique-inaugurale-aller-
du-3-au-8-fevrier-1962.html
LA FAYETTE (France/Italy, 1962) presented in Super Technirama 70.
http://www.paquebots.net/2015/02/paquebot-france-transatlantique-inaugurale-aller-du-3-au-8-fevrier-1962.htmlhttp://www.paquebots.net/2015/02/paquebot-france-transatlantique-inaugurale-aller-du-3-au-8-fevrier-1962.html
Since 13th February 1961, Copernic Films (Paris) and Cosmos Films (Rome)
are producing the first French film in Technirama 70 - Technicolor. With the
greatest international star cast – LA FAYETTE. Directed by Jean Dréville.
Distributor: UFA-COMACICO. Advert from "Le Film Français" dated 03.03.1961.
Author´s note: Around this time, there had been produced another film in the
Technirama process in France. A ballet film with the title: 1-2-3-4 ou Les Collants noirs
(Black Tights) – a French-Portuguese co-production by Terence Young.
Below an article from "La Cinématographie Française" dated 15.07.1961.
LA FAYETTE on an official
visit to Ambassador
James Gavin.
On the occasion of the Ameri-
can National Day – the
`Independence Day´ (author´s
note: on 04th of July), His
Excellency the Ambassador of
the USA in Paris officially
received Michel Le Royer and
Pascale Audret – respectively
Mr. and Mrs. La Fayette in the
movie LA FAYETTE. It is
being filmed in Technirama
70, Technicolor, and will now
completed by the director Jean
Dréville in Yugoslavia. With
this meeting, Mr. Gavin would
like to point out the important
role that the entire American
people also play in the film, which is produced for the glory of the heroes of Liberty. This
production, the most important ever made by French cinema, is distributed by UFA-COMA-
CICO. In the photo (from left to right), Madame James Gavin, Michel Le Royer, Pascale
Audret, Mr. James Gavin who has just received a luxurious souvenir brochure about the
movie La Fayette, and rightmost the three charming little girls of the Ambassador.
A large advert from "La Cinématographie Française" dated 01.04.1961.
The Movie´s World Premiere at the Paris Opera on 08.02.1962
Left an article from "Le Film Français"
dated 19.01.1962.
Press conference at the Paris Opera
for La Fayette
For its annual gala, the `Syndicat de la Parisienne
Presse´ has chosen to present this year the greatest
French film, which has ever been produced to the
glory of the hero of Liberty – La Fayette. The
World Premiere of Jean Dréville’s film will take
place at the Opera (author´s note: also named
`Palais Garnier´) on 8th February – and it is at the
Opera that the organizers of the annual gala have
invited the press to an information meeting with
cocktails on Tuesday, 16th January 1962.
It is the first time that the press gala will take place
at the Opera. To ensure a perfect projection of this Super Film La Fayette (produced in
Super Technirama 70 and Technicolor) the Opera´s booth will be specially equipped with
projectors in order to project the film in 70mm format onto a screen with a size of 120m²
(author´s note: 16 by 7,5 metres) – the sound will be total stereophonic using 6 tracks.
Another article about the movie´s
World Premiere event from "Le
Film Français" dated 16.02.1962.
Great World Premiere of
La Fayette at the Opera
As we already announced, the great film
La Fayette in Super Technirama and
Technicolor by Jean Dréville, produced
by Maurice Jacquin, had its World
Premiere at the Opera on Thursday, 8th
February.
`Whole Paris´ attended this magnificent
Gala Premiere, which was organized by
the press for the benefit of social works.
With personalities like MM. Michel
Fourré Cormeray (chief executive of the
National Center of `La Cinématographie
Française´), Louis Jacquinot, A.-M.
Julien, Christian de la Malène, André
Maurois, Pierre Messmer and James
Gavin. We also noted the presence of
Claudia Cardinale, Dany Saval, Marina Vlady, Gilbert Bécaud, Robert Hossein and Anthony
Perkins. The main actors of La Fayette were, of course, also present – e.g., the film´s direc-
tor Jean Dréville, Michel Le Royer (the performer of the role of the Marquis de La Fayette)
as well as his partners, Pascale Audret and Wolfgang Preiss.
The film was as well received as it had already been eight days earlier (author´s note: on
01.02.1962) during the exceptional corporate presentation of La Fayette aboard the liner
"France". This is a good sign that this monumental and exciting production will be success-
ful. In Paris, it will be released in the cinemas "Rex", "Normandie", Moulin-Rouge" and
"Rotonde " on Friday, 16th February.
From the movie´s opening credits – the spectacular is available on a French Blu-ray.
Below a short article from "La Cinématographie Française" dated 10.02.1962.
The text in the article above left: La Fayette at the Opera
After its presentation on the "France" (we reported on it in our last issue), La Fayette, which
really promises to be the spectacular event of the year, experienced the splendor of the Opera
during its presentation during a press gala. After the very well received screening, a raffle
was drawn by Pascale Audret, Josette Amiel and Jacqueline Rayet on the stage. Then
followed a supper in the Opera´s grand foyer, during which the Republican Guard Orchestra
played under the direction of Julien Brun. The small image on the right: Mr. Maurice Jacquin
(the film´s producer, middle right) and Michel Le Royer (performer of La Fayette, right) are
congratulated by His Excellency James Gavin (ambassador of the United States of America
in Paris) and his wife.
Left a section of a poster: A Firebrand who helped forge a nation ... with his courage ...
and his sword!
… the movie´s Italian
title: LA FAYETTE –
una spada per due
bandiere.
Advertising
taken from the
trade magazine
"Le Film
Français"
dated June
1961, and right
dated March
1962. La Fayette
at the 4 Paris
cinemas:
Rex,
Normandie,
Moulin-Rouge
and Rotonde.
Left an American poster, and right a French poster of the movie.
The Movie´s Premiere in New York
La Fayette at New York´s "DeMille" Theatre. It premiered there on 10.04.1963.
The front page of the trade magazine "Le Film Français" dated 26.04.1963.
Read a review on the film (and another) written by Bosley Crowther
– from `New York Times´ dated 11.04.1963:
https://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/11/archives/the-screen-french-lafayette-opensbig-
historical-drama-at-the.html
https://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/11/archives/the-screen-french-lafayette-opensbig-historical-drama-at-the.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/1963/04/11/archives/the-screen-french-lafayette-opensbig-historical-drama-at-the.html
… and another review on the movie written by Kathleen Carroll – from "New York
Daily News" dated 11.04.1963: A Lively Lafayette On DeMille Screen.
Heroes of history textbooks project themselves from study-worn pages with new life in the
screen story of a young Frenchman, the self-effacing participant in the American Revolution,
known as the Marquis de Lafayette. This study of the French officer´s actions in our war for
independence is amplified by its Super Technirama 70mm – Technicolor treatment at the
DeMille Theatre.
On the informative level, the film is impressive. It should rightfully be recommended as a
visual aid supplement for the young student. The production displays an astute respect for
historical accuracy, especially in the choice of backdrops. Location color shots of the Palace
of Versailles, numerous country chateaux and castles and the carefully detailed reproductions
of the study of Louis XVI, and the salons of Marie Antoinette add authenticity not to men-
tion, visual beauty.
Retracing the hero´s determined course of action, the film reveals Lafayette as a high-spirited
19-year old whose years in fighting for our liberty were characterized by the unleashed
bravado of youth and a remarkable selfless devotion to the cause of liberty.
French newcomer Michel Le Royer plays Lafayette, the human dynamo. Le Royer is perhaps
no actor (author´s note: Here I am not of the same opinion), but one forgets when he flashes
his disarming smile.
Dynamism does not describe the rest of the cast, which, incidentally, reads like the star
listing of the International Motion Picture Almanac.
Evidently, there is a feeling that George Washington, Louis XVI and Benjamin Franklin are
dead wood, and the stellar actors play the roles accordingly, fitting into their respective
niches as inconspicuously as possible. Orson Welles has obviously relished donning the
makeup of Franklin. Howard St. John is uninspiring as the awe-inspiring Washington of
Lafayette´s letters to his wife.
The more emotionally-charged scenes on the expanded screen include the sprawling battle
sequences along the Brandywine and the final din of the Battle of Yorktown. The surrender
of the British under Cornwallis is striking. The soldiers are lined across the landscape in their
stark red uniforms, a solitary soldier´s eyes are wet as he lays down his arms, and Corn-
wallis, with a slight gesture, signals the lowering of the British flags. For these moments and
others the film is a definite eye-pleaser, and one that both parents and teachers can advise
children to attend. And they might not find it too painful a history review for themselves.
Left from the movie´s end credits:
The interiors of the movie were
shot at the Château de Versailles,
at the Studios de la Victorine
in Nice, and at the
Studios de Boulogne.
The exteriors were shot in
Yugoslavia with the Central Film
Studio Košutnjak in Belgrade.
The Movie´s Premiere in London
La Fayette at London´s "Coliseum Cinerama Theatre". It premiered there
in 70mm CINERAMA on 10.01.1965. As far as I know, La Fayette was
never promoted as a Cinerama movie except in the United Kingdom.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here is some information kindly provided by David Coles, Sydney, Australia:
La Fayette had something of a splash Cinerama release in the UK
using at least three prints with the following playdates:
London Coliseum Cinerama: 10/01/65 – 07/03/65 (8 weeks)
Birmingham ABC Cinerama: 17/01/65 – 13/02/65 (4 weeks)
Manchester Royal Cinerama: 31/01/65 – 06/03/65 (5 weeks)
. Glasgow ABC Coliseum: 02/05/65 – 22/05/65 (3 weeks)
. Liverpool Abbey Wavertree: 24/06/65 – 07/07/65 (2 weeks)
Most countries showed La Fayette in flat 70mm (AR 1:2.20)
and 35mm Scope (AR 1:2.35) or – like in Australia – not at all.
Two Italian posters: La Fayette – A Sword for two Flags.
German poster: Der junge General (The young General), and right the film´s Blu-ray.
The Swiss film icon Liselotte Pulver (Marie Antoinette), and on the right a picture
showing Orson Welles (Benjamin Franklin) during a break from filming.
In 1963, Liselotte Pulver had been awarded with the German media prize
"Bambi" (actress national) for her overall performances in the three movies
La Fayette (Der junge General, France/Italy, 1962), Maléfices (Das Haus der Sünde,
France, 1962) and Kohlhiesels Töchter (Kohlhiesel´s Daughters, West Germany, 1962).
Image above: The Battle at Yorktown – word is that it had been shot with five
Technirama cameras simultaneously. Maurice Jacquin, the film´s producer, reports in
"Le Film Français Cinémonde" (Édition Spéciale) dated 01.02.1962: "… que ce serait
la première production tournée en France en 70mm par cinq caméras simultanées."
The Portuguese film magazine "Colecção CINEMA" [La Fayette and Comtesse de
Simiane (Michel Le Royer and Rosanna Schiaffino)], and on the right
Jack Hawkins as General Cornwallis.
A scene of the film: Vergennes and La Fayette (Georges Rivière and Michel Le Royer).
The Movie´s Musical Score
Bande Originale du Film (Banda Original del Film) La Fayette, and below
André Dassary sings tunes of the film (all records are EPs).
Music by Steve Laurent and
Pierre Duclos
Original musical score by the orchestra
LA SOCIÉTÉ DES CONCERTS DU
CONSERVATOIRE
Under the direction of Paul Bonneau
On YouTube audible:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBX2OzM-X-M
From the movie´s end credits:
… la nature a fait les hommes libres et égaux. Tout homme naît avec des droits
inaliénables, la liberté de ses opinions, la disposition de sa personne, la recherche du
bien-être et la résistance à l´oppression.
. Déclaration des Droits de l´Homme, 11 Juillet 1789 – La Fayette
… nature has made men free and equal. Every man is born with inalienable rights, the
freedom of his opinions, the entire disposition of his person, the pursuit of well-being
and the resistance to oppression.
. Declaration of Human Rights, 11th July 1789 – La Fayette
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBX2OzM-X-M
La Fayette (Michel Le Royer) in the final decisive battle during the
American War of Independence at Yorktown in the year 1781.
Michel Le Royer in glorious Technicolor
Related Links
1) The Movie´s Souvenir Brochure:
https://www.in70mm.com/library/process/technirama/film/la_fayette/index.htm
2) Michel Le Royer and the Film (only in French):
http://television.blogs.sudouest.fr/archives/category/cinema/index-2.html/
3) The Life of James Gavin:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_M._Gavin
4) Gilbert du Motier / Marquis de Lafayette:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_du_Motier,_Marquis_de_Lafayette
https://www.in70mm.com/library/process/technirama/film/la_fayette/index.htmhttp://television.blogs.sudouest.fr/archives/category/cinema/index-2.html/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_M._Gavinhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gilbert_du_Motier,_Marquis_de_Lafayette
A Pre-Version of the Film
A very early La Fayette advertising from "Le Film Français" dated December 1960.
A production by Suzy Prim / Distributor: RANK
From the interview (see link above) with Michel Le Royer: Ce film a été fait grâce à une
chanteuse, Suzy Prim. Elle a été avec son mari Mr Mont Blanc, sa première productrice. Ils
avaient monté le projet d’un film, une sorte de bleuette historique et tout à coup cela a pris de
l’ampleur et Suzy Prim a revendu son film à un autre producteur Mr Maurice Jacquin. Et
c’est devenu un truc énorme et les Américains s’y sont intéressés et ont exigé que l’on gonfle
toute l’histoire. Je crois savoir que cela n’a pas été une très bonne affaire commerciale pour
le producteur français. Les américains ont acheté le film, ont réalisé leur propre montage que
j’estime bien meilleur, beaucoup plus vif que le montage français.
Translated: This film was made thanks to a singer Suzy Prim [author´s note: Suzy Prim,
born as Suzanne Mariette Arduini (1896 – 1991), was also an actress, and an occasional film
producer and screenwriter]. She had been, together with her husband Mr. Mont Blanc, the
film´s first producer. They had put together the project for a film, a sort of historic romance
(`bleuette´ historique), and suddenly the project got bigger and Suzy Prim sold the film to
another producer – Mr. Maurice Jacquin. And it became a huge thing and the Americans got
interested in it, and demanded that we should inflate the whole story. I understand that it was
not a very good business deal for the French producer. The Americans bought the film, made
their own montage (version) of it, which, I think, is much better – much more lively than the
French montage (version).
From the Technirama film´s (1962) opening credits
Screenplay by Suzanne Arduini (aka Suzy Prim).
Adaptation by … also Suzanne Arduini (aka Suzy Prim).
… another early advert of the `Suzy Prim´ film taken from "Le Film Français".
… and soon
four other great
international
stars for La
Fayette.
Here still
Suzy Prim´s
Eastmancolor-
Scope (not
Technicolor)
film production.
The large
announcement
advert is
taken from "La
Cinématographie
Française" dated
January 1961.
But as already mentioned:
The new decision – since 13th
February 1961 produced by
Maurice Jacquin and Copernic
Films (Paris) and Cosmos Films
(Rome) in Technirama 70 –
Technicolor.
Advert from "Le Film Français"
dated 03.03.1961.